You Either Are Or You Aren’t | Your Actual Needs Are Small

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Sep 29, 2023

Explore the timeless wisdom of Stoic philosophers like Marcus Aurelius and Seneca, who continually worked on self-improvement. Discover how to maximize your time and embrace simplicity, even in today's busy world. Reflect on the notion that true wealth comes from understanding your actual needs, promoting gratitude over excess. Learn how small adjustments in perspective can lead to profound satisfaction and contentment in life.

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ADVICE

Continuous Self-Improvement

Work on self-improvement daily, just like Marcus Aurelius and Seneca.
Make self-reflection and learning a continuous process, not a one-time event.

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INSIGHT

Small Needs

Reflecting on past contentment with less reveals how little we truly need.
Our actual needs are small; realizing this reduces worry and fear.

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ANECDOTE

Cato's Frugality

Cato the Elder believed that anything superfluous, regardless of its cost, isn't cheap.
Cultivate a mindset where you don't accumulate more than necessary, fostering a sense of freedom and reducing vulnerability.

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Maximizing Time: The Stoic Approach to Self-Improvement

00:00 • 4min

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Embracing Simplicity and Gratitude for True Wealth

Meditations is a series of private writings composed by Marcus Aurelius, one of Rome's greatest emperors, as he struggled to understand himself and make sense of the universe. Written between 170 and 180 CE while on military campaigns, this work combines Stoic philosophy with personal observations on leadership, duty, mortality, and human nature. Through twelve books of intimate thoughts never intended for publication, Marcus Aurelius explores themes of self-improvement, resilience in the face of adversity, and living virtuously while accepting what cannot be changed.

Discipline is Destiny

The Power of Self-Control

Ryan Holiday

In 'Discipline is Destiny', Ryan Holiday explores the Stoic virtue of self-discipline, drawing on historical figures and contemporary examples to illustrate its transformative power. The book emphasizes that discipline is the foundation upon which other virtues such as courage, justice, and wisdom depend. Holiday argues that self-control is essential for personal triumph and fulfillment, and he provides engaging stories and practical advice on how to cultivate discipline in a world filled with distractions and temptations. The book also cautions against the perils of extravagance and hedonism, stressing the importance of balance and self-mastery in achieving success and happiness.

The obstacle is the way

Ryan Holiday

In 'The Obstacle Is the Way', Ryan Holiday presents a framework for turning obstacles into successes. Drawing from the philosophy of Stoicism and the writings of Marcus Aurelius, Holiday outlines three disciplines: perception, action, and will. He illustrates these principles with historical anecdotes from figures such as John D. Rockefeller, Amelia Earhart, Ulysses S. Grant, and Steve Jobs. The book emphasizes the importance of perception in shaping one's response to obstacles, the need for intentional and creative action, and the cultivation of will to persist through challenges. Holiday argues that by adopting these Stoic principles, individuals can transform their obstacles into opportunities for growth and success.

The Daily Stoic

366 Meditations on Wisdom, Perseverance, and the Art of Living

Ryan Holiday

Stephen Hanselman

This book provides 366 meditations on Stoic wisdom, featuring new translations of passages from Epictetus, Marcus Aurelius, Seneca, and other Stoic philosophers. Each day, readers are presented with a Stoic lesson explained in modern language, along with advice on how to apply these lessons in everyday life. The book is organized temporally and thematically across the twelve months of the year, making it a daily resource for practicing Stoicism.

Stillness is the Key

Ryan Holiday

In 'Stillness is the Key', Ryan Holiday explores the concept of inner stillness as a universal principle across different philosophical and religious traditions, including Stoicism, Buddhism, Epicureanism, and more. The book is divided into three sections: stillness of the mind, stillness of the spirit, and stillness of the body. Holiday argues that cultivating stillness allows for better decision-making, increased focus, and a more fulfilling life. He uses anecdotes from historical figures and contemporary examples to illustrate the importance of moderation, patience, and self-awareness in achieving this state of stillness.

Lives of the Stoics

The Art of Living from Zeno to Marcus Aurelius

Ryan Holiday

Stephen Hanselman

This book presents the fascinating lives of twenty-six ancient Stoics, from Zeno to Marcus Aurelius, organized in digestible mini-biographies. It vividly brings to life the stories of key Stoic philosophers, such as Seneca, Epictetus, and Cicero, and demonstrates how their philosophies shaped their actions and legacies. The authors intertwine historical context with philosophical insights, making the book both educational and entertaining. It shows how Stoic principles can be applied to modern life, emphasizing virtues like Courage, Justice, Temperance, and Wisdom.

Consolation to Helvia

Seneca

Aubrey Stewart

Seneca's "Consolation to Helvia" is a letter offering comfort and philosophical guidance to his mother, Helvia, during a time of personal loss. The work explores themes of grief, resilience, and the Stoic approach to adversity. Seneca emphasizes the importance of accepting what is beyond our control and finding strength in virtue. He uses philosophical arguments and personal anecdotes to offer solace and encouragement. The letter serves as a testament to the enduring power of Stoic philosophy in the face of suffering.

It’s impossible not to read Marcus Aurelius or Seneca and sense that they were always working. Not that they were literally always at the office–as we said, they believed in a kind of work life balance–but on themselves.

They were studying. They were reflecting. They were asking questions. Late at night after his wife went to sleep, Seneca would pull out his journals and evaluate the day, going over what he’d done well, where he didn’t live up to his standards. Marcus, most famously, was seen as an old man, picking up his tablets and heading off to attend a lecture by Sextus, a wise teacher.

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And in today's excerpt from The Daily Stoic, Ryan explains why it feels so beneficial accepting what you think is normal, the importance on understanding why your actual needs are small, and living by stoics like Seneca who believe that nothing can satisfy greed.

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